The occurrence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria has been a major public health problem. In this study, antibiotic resistance pattern of E. coli was investigated. The incidence of colibacillosis was 65% in poultry. This study also revealed that the 78% of E. coli isolates were more susceptible to levofloxacin (92.3%), enrofloxacin (88.4), ofloxacin (83.3%), gentamicin (73%), ceftriaxone (60.3) and neomycin (54%). The E. coli isolates were resistant to amoxicillin (74.6%), cloxacillin (70.6%), tetracycline (60%) and amikacin (50%). Indiscriminate use, improper selection, improper dose; incorrect duration of antibiotics at field level may be reason for such a increase in the occurrence of resistance. Reasonable use of antibiotics may prevent the occurrence of drug resistant E. coli in future

E. coli, antibiotic sensitivity, poultry, public health

In the field antibiotics were used indiscriminately without veterinary advice. This practice determines the selection of resistant bacteria and the increase in multidrug resistance. In this study we noted the alarming rates for individual and multiple antimicrobial resistance of E.coli against the majority of antibiotics which were routinely used in the field level. This causes severe economic losses to the poultry industry, related to high mortality among birds and possesses public health problems. It is necessary to increase efforts to harmonize testing practices, and to promote free access to data on AMR in order to improve treatment guidelines as well as to monitor the evolution of AMR in poultry bacterial pathogens

Thangavel Kandasamy (2021). Characterization and Multidrug Resistance pattern of E.coli. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 13(2): 772-774